Overview

The B.A. in Political Science prepares students for a variety of professions, including diplomacy, international business, international organizations, journalism, and politics, among others, through a rigorous program that emphasizes theory, methodology and practice. Individual political science graduates also pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in Lebanon, Europe, and North America.

Mission

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science prepares students in comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, as well as the methodology of political analysis. The program prepares students for graduate studies and/or a variety of entry-level careers.

Program Objectives

Graduates in the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science should be able to:

1. attain knowledge of facts, theories, and concepts in political science at the national, regional and international levels,
2. integrate the cultural, social, legal, and ethical issues inherent in the description and analysis of politics, and
3. conduct research and apply team work and interpersonal skills effectively.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in Political Science, students should be able to:

1. describe the basic concepts and theories pertaining to political science,
2. analyze the interrelationship among the historical, political, economic, cultural, and geographic dimensions in political science,
3. apply research methods, description, analysis, interpretation and explanation of aspects of political science in written and oral forms,
4. address problems related to political science in a cooperative manner,
5. demonstrate ability to analyze complex ethical issues, and
6. demonstrate collaborative and ethical professional practice.

Curriculum

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

• Program Core Requirements (42 credits)
• Other Program Requirements (9 credits)
• LAC Core Requirements (13 credits)
• LAC Electives (15 credits)
• Free Electives (13 credits)

A senior study project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Program Core Requirements (42 credits)

• POL201 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)
• POL203 Government & Politics of Lebanon (3 cr.)
• POL210 Introduction to Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POL222 Comparative Political Systems (3 cr.)
• POL240 Concepts of World Politics (3 cr.)
• POL312 Politics of Developing Areas (3 cr.)
• POL314 Research Methodology (3 cr.)
• POL321 American Government & Politics (3 cr.)
• POL322 Foreign Policy of the Major Powers (3 cr.)
• POL323 Middle East Government & Politics (3 cr.)
• POL331 International Organization (3 cr.)
• POL332 Public International Law (3 cr.)
• POL422 The Middle East in World Affairs (3 cr.)
• POL499 Senior Study (3 cr.)

Other Program Requirements (9 credits)

• ECO202 Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• HST305 Contemporary Europe 1945–1989 (3 cr.)
• POL 252 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution (3 cr.)
• Free Electives (13 cr.)

LAC Core Requirements (13 credits)

LAC Electives (15 credits)

Free Electives (13 credits)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (14 credits)

• POL201 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)1
• HLT201 Basic Health (1 cr.)
• CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
• ENGxxx English course (3 cr.)2
• ARA2xx Arabic Language (3 cr.)3
• LAC Elective (3 cr.)

1ECO202 and POL201 are counted both as major requirements and LAC Elective courses.
2 Based on results of English exam. If a student is taking ENG009 (no credit), they need to take ETH201 Moral Reasoning in order to be considered full-time at 12 credits. English courses may necessitate taking additional courses in the summer. Students should finish all required English courses as soon as possible.
3 or ARA3xx Arabic Literature

Spring (15 credits)

• ECO202 Macro Economics (3 cr.)1
• POL210 Introduction to Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POL222 Comparative Political System (3 cr.)
• ENG xxx English course (3 cr.)2
• LAC Elective (3 cr.)

1ECO202 is counted both as a major requirement and a LAC Elective course.
2 Next English course in sequence

Summer (3 to 6 credits)

• ENGxxx English course (3 cr)1
• LAC Elective (3 cr)

1 Next English course in sequence, if needed

Year Two

Fall (16 credits)

• POL203 Governments & Politics of Lebanon (3 cr.)
• POL240 Concepts of World Politics (3 cr.)
• POL323 Middle East Government & Politics (3 cr.)
• ETH201 Moral Reasoning (1 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)1
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

1 or finish English requirements

Spring (15 credits)

• POL312 Politics of Developing Areas (3 cr.)
• POL322 Foreign Policy of the Major Powers (3 cr.)
• POLxxx Political science course (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)1
• LAC Elective (3 cr.)

1or finish English requirements

Year Three

Fall (15 credits)

• POL314 Research Methodology (3 cr.)
• POL331 International Organization (3 cr.)
• HST305 Contemporary Europe 1945–1989 (3 cr.)
• LAC Elective (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (14 cr)

• POL321 American Government & Politics (3 cr.)
• POL332 Public International Law (3 cr.)
• POL422 The Middle East in World Affairs (3 cr.)
• POL499 Senior Project (3 cr.)
• PEDxxx Physical Education (1 cr.)
• Free Electives (1 cr.)

Extracurricular Activities

The program encourages students to get involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities. LAU sends 16 Political Science (PS) and Political Science and International Affairs (PS-IA) students to the Harvard World Model United Nations simulation held each year in a different country. Students learn and practice political and diplomatic skills that are valuable in their future careers.

Many PS majors have the opportunity to participate as organizers and trainers in LAU’s Global Classrooms-Model United Nations, which trains around 1300 local and regional high school students in diplomacy.

Furthermore, PS and PS-IA majors have the opportunity to participate in conferences, workshops, simulations and lectures organized by the school, department and affiliated institutes and centers, especially the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution  and the Institute for Migration Studies.

Political Science majors have the opportunity to do a semester abroad at Sciences-Po (France).